WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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The Everyday Healthy Cafe Celebrated its Grand Opening today at the 21st Century White Plains Public Library where now coffee, healthy food, and a spacious, affordable cafe is at your service.

Mayor Tom Roach with Denise O. Matthews-Serra, President of the White Plains Library Board of Trustees and Councilwoman Milagros Lecouna about to cut the official opening ribbon.

Brian Kenney, Director of the White Plains Library, impresario of the highly popular with all ages,  Library’s HUB (redesign) and the creation of the Everyday Healthy Cafe welcomed about a hundred guests. You can see his remarks at the following link:

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Mayor Tom Roach addressed one of the largest openings this reporter has seen telling about the value of the new HUB-CAFE combination and appeal to the youth of the city, and citizens of all ages. The Mayor’s insightful remarks may be seen here on this Link:

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Diane Tabakman, President of the White Plains Library foundation thanked the many donors and supporters of the Foundation who donated to the Hub-Cafe project, (shown on the plaque above) and especially the anonymous donor of a million dollars jumpstarting the project.

Ms. Tabakman’s remarks about the support the community has long given to the library and this project may be viewed on this link below:

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PETER HERRERO, native of Battle Hill, owner of Sam’s of Gedney Way and the Great American Barbecue Company spoke about the honor of being picked to run the Everyday Healthy Cafe. He shared a story of how the Cafe has already won over one young man who loves the cafe. You can share Mr. Herrero’s story by viewing this link below:

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Lots of Space and Books You Can Buy. A great place for a quiet business lunch, rendezvous, that is quiet, after all it is the library

Guests mingled and enjoyed the healthy cuisine

And affordable!

The prices are as small as the type.

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WPCNR THE FEINER REPORT. By Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. May 8, 2018:

Many  residents have experienced power outages in recent years. During the last storm this winter some residents were out of power and FREEZING for over a week. A few years ago many Greenburgh residents lost power for almost two weeks.

I have invited Steve Parisi , Vice president of Operations at Con Ed to provide the Town Board with an update on what Con Ed will be doing differently going forward the next time there is a major storm and outages.  Our meeting begins at 7:30 PM at Town Hall. You are invited to join us and ask questions. Mr. Parisi will provide us with an analysis of the March 2018 nor’easter.

Our meetings are televised on public access TV and on the town website: www.greenburghny.com

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OFF THE TRACKS: The County’s Agreement with Standard Amusements (seven years in development)  to run Playland (shown above) was declared unacceptable in a county analysis released today. County Wants to Revisit the agreement with Standard.

WPCNR PLAYLAND GO ROUND. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. May 7, 2018:

On the heels of public concern, and members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators calling on the County to revisit the Playland deal with Standard Amusements, Westchester County Executive George Latimer charged Director of Operations Joan McDonald and County Attorney John Nonna with examining the County’s agreement with Standard Amusements.

The report, now released publicly, details serious issues with the contract that will leave the County investing millions of dollars without seeing a significant return on investment.

County Executive George Latimer said:

“This deal entered with Standard Amusements should have helped the County, it should have put the County in a better financial position than it currently is with Playland.  However, this poorly negotiated deal has this County footing the bills for improvements, salaries, fringe benefits and more.  All of these financial issues are compounded by the County also not getting a fair share of what revenue is generated.  We must do what is best for County taxpayers; we must have a deal that alleviates the burden on them while also preserves and grows this historic and nostalgic park.  The County is prepared to sit-down with Standard Amusements and negotiate a more equitable public / private partnership that is more equitable to the county taxpayers.”

The report has been delivered to Standard Amusements and their attorneys. The County will be reaching out to Standard Amusements for a meeting shortly.

Issues Identified in the McDonald / Nonna Playland Report

• The Astorino Administration privately allowed for five extensions on payments to Standard Amusements without the prior approval by the County Board of Legislators.
• After the contract with Standard Amusements was approved by the County Board, the Astorino Administration amended the contract without Board of Legislators approval and changed a material element.
• There was never a detailed assessment of the renovations needed to be done at Playland, the County now knows the Park realistically needs $125 million worth of renovations.  That could cost the County $65 – $95 million extra to complete.
• Thirty County Employees work at Playland and the Playland Beach and Pool – while the Standard Amusements agreement covers 100% of their salaries, only 30% of their fringe benefits are covered under the agreement.
• The agreement only covers the County’s expense of $400,000 for County Police and Seasonal Park Rangers, but the cost of these services is $655,000.  The County would have to cover the $255,000 shortfall.
• The County receives no profit sharing until roughly 11 years after Standard Amusements takes over management of the park and even that is highly uncertain.
• Standard Amusements’ revenue and attendance growth assumptions are overstated – estimating a 1 million people in attendance, a 50% increase, by 2020.
• The County is investing significantly more money than Standard Amusements, and does not appear to ever receive a corresponding benefit.
• To date, Standard Amusements has only paid $1 million to the County of initial payments it was required to make and still owes $ 1.25 million.
• Standard Amusements claims it spent about $4 million, of the $27.5 million that they are required to spend.   The County has asked for an audit of expenses to date and Standard Amusements has yet to produce that document.
• While, Jacob “Jack” Falfas was initially named by Standard Amusements as a key person to professionally manage Playland, he has since left the company and they have not replaced him or even offered a replacement.

Areas of Significant Concern

Extensions

• The Astorino Administration privately allowed for five extensions on payments to Standard Amusements without the prior approval by the County Board of Legislators.
• Another change that was made is more serious, and has to do with a material change to the contract.  After the contract with Standard Amusements was approved by the County Board, the Astorino Administration amended the contract privately and changed a material element.
•   The Astorino Administration changed the order of payments and allowed Standard Amusements postpone its obligation to invest $3 million in new rides, until the County had already invested 50%  of the funds that were approved by the County Board approximately $30 million in renovating the park.  The Astorino Administration made these changes without Board review and without Board approval.

Financial

• Capital Investments –
  • Before the Standard Amusement deal, the County estimated that approximately $75 million dollars in capital investments (excluding the pool) would have to be spent to bring Playland to a state of good repair.
  • As negotiations with Standard Amusements evolved, the decision was made that the County would be responsible for $33 million plus pool reconstruction of $9.5 million.  Standard Amusements is responsible for $27.5 million in investment, $14 million of which is for rides.  According to the Agreement the County would also be required to make additional investments for the maintenance of the park.
  • When the Latimer administration came into office in January, McDonald directed DPW/T and Parks to complete the assessment of capital needs at Playland.  That estimate is complete and as of April 1, 2018, the state of good repair estimate is $125 million including the pool.
  • Since those investments were not detailed in the Agreement, they would be the County’s responsibility and could cost the County more than $65 – $95 million even if depending on investments made by Standard Amusements.
  • Additionally, the way the contract is written anything that Standard Amusements spends money on, from lunch money to surveyors, can be counted towards their “investments” in Playland. Under the Contract, the County is putting in significantly more money than Standard Amusements, and does not appear to ever receive a corresponding benefit.

• Expenses –

• There are currently 24 County employees budgeted at Playland and 6 at the Playland Beach and Pool.  An MOU between the Westchester County Board of Legislators and the County Executive guarantees County employment for these employees.  The salaries of these employees totals $1.9 million per year not including fringe benefits.
• • While the Standard Amusements agreement has their salaries covered 100% only 30% of their fringe benefits are covered under the agreement.
• The agreement also only covers $400,000 for County Police and Seasonal Park Rangers, but the cost of these services is $655,000 – the County would have to cover the $255,000 shortfall.
• We project the County will be responsible for $1.5 – $2.5 million in personnel costs and fringe benefits for up to ten years.

• Revenue Sharing–
  • While the deal has Standard Amusements sharing the profits with the County, the County receives nothing until Standard Amusements has fully recouped its Initial Payments ($2,250,000) and Manager’s Investment ($27,500,000).   According to Standard Amusements the County would not be receiving any profit share until at least 11 years after Standard Amusements took over management of the park.
  • Since revenue share is based on a net income number, Standard Amusements is able to pay a higher rate to their investors or pay themselves a higher management fee and avoid paying the County any revenue share.
  • Standard Amusements’ revenue and attendance growth assumptions are overstated.  Attendance at Playland in 2016 was 505,000.  Standard Amusements’ pro forma assumed doubling this number to 1 million by the fourth year, 2020.

• Professional Management-
  • Additionally, as per a material term of the contract, Standard Amusements was supposed to have an “experienced” amusement park operate head the park.  While, Jacob “Jack” Falfas was initially named by Standard Amusements as a key person to professional manage Playland, he has since left the company and they have not replaced him or even offered a replacement.  This represents a default on the part of Standard Amusements.

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Board of Legilsators. May 7, 2018:

Terry Clements, winner of the April 24 special election for the 11th legislative district, officially will join the County Board of Legislators today.

The Board will hold a swearing-in ceremony for Clements before its regular meeting on the 8th floor, 148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601.

Clements’ election gives Democrats a 13-4 majority on the Board.  It’s also an historic election for the Board, which will have a majority of women for the first time ever – nine out of 17 — and will become the only county legislature in New York State in which women currently comprise a majority.

The board also will have the largest number of African American legislators — five — in its history, and largest number of people of color, six.

“I’m grateful to the people of New Rochelle, Pelham and Pelham Manor for choosing me to represent them at the Board of Legislators.  It’s a responsibility that I don’t take lightly,” said Legislator-Elect Clements.

“As I said during the campaign, I intend to focus on important fiscal and environmental issues, and to make sure we’re doing all we can to have safer schools and sensible gun reform laws,” Clements added.  “I’m also thrilled to be playing a role in such an historic moment in the history of the county, joining the first-ever female-majority on the Board of Legislators, and the most racially-diverse Board in county history.”

Board Chairman Ben Boykin (D-White Plains, Scarsdale, West Harrison) said, “I’m excited that Terry Clements will be joining the Board of Legislators for this historic session. Westchester voters have written another chapter in the history of the Women’s Rights Movement, electing a legislature with a majority of women for the first time in the county’s history.  It’s also a proud moment to see a Board with the largest number of African-American legislators and legislators of color in its history.  With Terry, the residents of the 11th district will have an outstanding representative and the Board can continue the work we’ve started to enhance the quality of life for all the people of Westchester.”

Majority Leader Catherine Parker (D- Harrison, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Rye) said, “I’m thrilled that Terry will be joining the Board, and thankful to be part of this historic moment in the history of Westchester, the state and the nation.  Westchester residents put their principles of equity and fairness into action at the polls, and now it’s our job as their representatives to follow through with legislation that embodies those principles.  With the Board’s five freshmen members, the largest number of people of color in the Board’s history, and the groundbreaking majority of women, it’s truly a new era for the Board and for Westchester.”

Clements, a Democrat, defeated Republican candidate Jim Freeman by a margin of 54-46 percent in a special election to fill the seat vacated when former Legislator Jim Maisano, left to become director of the county’s Department of Consumer Protection.

Clements is a teacher at Columbus Elementary School in New Rochelle and is a former Adjunct Professor at Fordham University. Over the course of her public life, she has served as Vice Chair of the Westchester County Democratic Committee, Chair of the Black Democrats of Westchester, member of the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus (Mt. Vernon Chapter) and State Committee Woman representing the 88th AD.

The 11th legislative district includes Pelham, Pelham Manor and part of New Rochelle.

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TREES ARE IN “GREEN COAT” ACROSS THE HUDSON AT COLD SPRING NY

DUCK’S CASTLE SLOWLY BEING ENCLOSED IN GREEN CLOAK 

Mountains on west bank breaking green to the top

ANTRAKER HIGHBALLING SOUTHBOUND TO GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL.